The Burden of Time

"Truth is, they can still break you even if you're already broken." Kody remarked as he stops in front of our classroom entrance. "There's no difference, it will still hurt as much as it did before, but this is the exact moment where you learn that you deserve the best and nothing, but the best."

Before I could say anything, two of our classmates called me and it was none other than Travis Reed and William Carter. Not to mention, they're two of the bullies who wouldn't stop bugging me, but I don't have any problem with it, I just find it funny and pathetic. Not that I'm not a bully myself, but seeing someone trying to compete with me is just pure comedy.

"Hey, everyone! Look, it's Mr. Know It All." Travis quipped, as he pointed at me. "Aren't you going to greet me, twerp?"

"Aww, I didn't know your parents deprived you of attention." I sneered, draping my bag around the chair. "You know what's the cure for that? Paying attention to yourself, it's free therapy and you get less stress when you can't compete with someone like me."

"Say that again and I'll knock your teeth out." He snapped, grabbing me by the collar as he pinned me up against the wall. "You're nothing compared to me, Kinsly. I am braver and stronger than you are."

"Ya'll heard that? Someone thinks bravery is measured by how many quarrels you've had." I gurgled as I gave him a dirty look. "Guess what? You're not brave as you think you are. It's cowardry, that's a word that best describes you."

He lifted his hand in attempts of punching me, but Wendy grabbed him from the back, tossing him towards William. Travis's eyes were teary and were starting to get red, he wiped his tears as William pulls him back, getting back on his feet. See? He is indeed a coward, yet he cannot see that. On the other hand, Wendy fixes my collar and hair since it got messed up and of course, I was looking a bit untidy.

"Are you okay? Is a part of your face wounded?" Wendy asked, checking a part of my face. "There is a tiny scratch on the side of your right eye, but everything else is perfect."

"Wendy, have you been listening to Smooth Criminal by Michael Jackson lately?" Vivian teased, "I'm not trying to tease you in any way, but you're doing something similar to it."

"Incredible music taste as always, Wendy." I remarked, pointing at Kody. "He would definitely take a slice of that cake, his taste in music is similar to yours. Don't you think you'll get along together?"

Kody blinked in surprise, looking away as he rubs the back of his neck. Our batchmates clapped and laughed, realizing that almost everyone in the class knows he has a crush on her, but she doesn't. It became a teasing party for him, but it seemed like Wendy totally didn't like the thought of whatever was happening.

"Ya'll better stop and prepare for class," she warned, taking a step away from me, "and of course, do the same thing, Kody and Ethan."

"Yes, Ma'am." I nodded, beckoning to Kody as soon as she returned to her seat, "How was that for a first-timer as a wingman?"

"Eh, it wasn't that bad, but at the same it wasn't that good either," he replied, letting out a hopeless sigh, "I can feel it already, I don't have a single chance on this woman."

"You do. It just takes patience, you haven't even done any efforts, not to mention, those corny jokes of yours can and will work," I remarked, preparing my trusty pen, "she'll give up eventually, knowing that I literally reject her on the spot."

"I don't think so, it feels more of a challenge for her to keep pursuing you," he opposed, searching a bunch of cat pictures, "she's a fighter, not some kind of loser like me."

"You're not a loser, Kody," I reiterated, crossing my arms, "okay, maybe you can be an idiot most of the time, or a weirdo on occasional days, but you're not a loser."

"Thank you for the honesty on the being an idiot and a weirdo part. I totally agree with that, but the loser part? I still think I am, but I guess it's all in my head."

"You're not and I'm going to remind you every single day of how you're an idiot and a weirdo, but a loser." I babbled, snatching his phone as I add her into his contacts. "You're not a loser, but you're a coward, a love coward like everybody else is except for me."

"Hey, give me my phone back! I'm trying to save cat pictures," he reacted, trying to get it back, "it is a crime to snatch my phone and what do you think you're doing in my contacts?"

"Adding Wendy's number into your contacts, it's time you start messaging her." I demanded, giving him his phone. "You never know a simple good morning, or hi could change your life big time."

"Mate, I can't even message you those things," he doubted, looking at me, "so how can you be sure that it'll work on some girl that has mastered the art of ignoring me?"

"If she has mastered the art of ignoring you," I adviced, pinching his face, "might as well master the art of being the center of attention. Look at you, handsome and talented."

"The art of being the center of attention? Haven't you taken that spot?" He asked, shaking his head, "It's fine, Ethan. You don't have to do all of this for me."

"Says who? I'm an ordinary man with extraordinary dreams," I looked over the window, "and I insist, you deserve this one, you're not going to regret any of this, alright?"

"Thanks, it's going to be challenging, but I guess it's worth the shot." He glanced outside, "Look, it's your soon to be greatest duo for a lifetime."

"Huh? The hell are you talking about? Where? Who?" I sit straight, eyes scanning the room, "There's no one in this room that's exactly my type, you're delusional."

"So you do have a type that's outside of this room?" He chortled, covering his mouth in awe. "Man's learning about love, not clickbait!"

"What? No, of course not. In fact, that's the last thing I want to happen." I fiddled with my pen, "this is a daunting generation to fall in love with someone, you won't have a clue if they want you, or you are just some kind of experiment to them."

"You're scaring me. I don't want that to happen, nor would I want that to happen to her and anyone else that has sincerity."

"No one deserves that, it's just so wrong for people to do that⁠—" Professor Elijah Cohen showed up front, he stared at me for some time before I could realize it's him. "I'd rather be alone than to be in the same room as him for an hour, or two."

"Are you okay? Wait, do you know him?" Kody whispered, lowering his head. "Don't be shy, spill the tea."

"Now is not the time for that, Kody." I clenched my fist, staring at him. "He shouldn't have, he really shouldn't have."

Professor Elijah adjusted his glasses and greeted all of us with a smile, as he puts down his briefcase and crosses his arms. I may not know him on a personal, or virtual level, but I do know something in and about him that justifies my hatred towards him.

"Good morning, everyone. It's such a pleasure to meet all of you today." He greeted, glancing at us, as he clears his throat. "As usual, we start off our class by introducing ourselves. Anyone who wants to volunteer?"

Everyone in the class had their eyes everywhere, sitting in silence. No one dared to volunteer, not a single hand was seen at that moment. Franco was curled up like a ball in his seat, hiding while some other students were pretending to read the textbook, drinking water, or doodling.

"Do you wanna go first, Ethan?" He blurted, his eyes grew in shock.

I was right. After all these years of running away, it all led back to this. I guess that was just a waste of time. I didn't want it to end up like this, I thought he was in America, or in some parts of Europe, at least that's what they told me.

I came here to live peacefully, to fix the broken parts of who I am, but why did they have to make it harder for me to do so? I don't get it. Am I not supposed to fix anything, myself, or will I even get a chance to? I want to cry cause I have so much questions in my head, so much answers I won't get, I want clarity, is that too much to ask for?